Two weeks after tabbing Mike Elias as their new GM, the Orioles are finally making reported progress on hiring a manager. Baltimore parted with previous skipper Buck Showalter nearly two months ago, but the slow-moving GM search that eventually led the team to Elias has left it as the majors’ last club without a manager. Appointing Showalter’s successor will be one of the first noteworthy decisions Elias makes atop the Orioles’ front office, but given that the O’s are in the early stages of a full rebuild, win-loss record certainly won’t be the main focus when judging their manager in 2019.
Here’s a look at where the Orioles’ search stands thus far:
Latest Updates (Dec.10)
- Speaking with MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko (Twitter links) and other reporters today, Elias said that he won’t be meeting with any more candidates beyond the six initial names, and there may not be a second round of interviews. Elias said he hopes to have the new manager in place before the end of the month.
- Former Indians and Nationals manager Manny Acta is another candidate for the Orioles’ job, according to Fancred Sports’ Jon Heyman (via Twitter). Acta oversaw rebuilding efforts in his previous two managerial jobs, leading to an unimpressive 372-518 record but doing little to harm Acta’s reputation as an analytically-open manager who works well with young players. Acta has worked as the Mariners’ third base coach for the last three seasons.
- Astros bench coach Joe Espada won’t be interviewing for the Orioles’ job, MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko reports. Espada was a popular candidate for managerial openings this offseason, and his past connection with Elias in Houston made him an interesting fit for the O’s on paper.
Previous Updates
- Rockies bench coach Mike Redmond has interviewed for the job, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports (Twitter link). Redmond posted a 155-207 record as the Marlins’ skipper from 2013 to May 2015, shepherding the team through one of its many rebuilding periods and then getting fired after a slow start in 2015, as then-owner Jeffrey Loria had playoff aspirations after adding talent that winter. Redmond has been Colorado’s bench coach for the last two seasons, and he was also mentioned as a candidate for managerial openings with the Tigers and Phillies last offseason.
- The Orioles will interview at least six candidates in person, including Nationals bench coach Chip Hale, Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde and Royals catching/quality control coach Pedro Grifol, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic tweets. The 54-year-old Hale has previous managerial experience, which the O’s are thought to prefer, according to Rosenthal, though he suggests it isn’t a dealbreaker. A former major league infielder, Hale managed the Diamondbacks to a combined 148-176 mark from 2015-16. Hale has since served on the staffs of the A’s and Nats, and he drew managerial interest from the Phillies and Mets a year ago.
- Hyde, 45, was on the radars of the Blue Jays, Twins and Angels when they were seeking managers earlier in the fall. He comes with plenty of coaching experience, having worked as a minor league manager with the Marlins from 2005-09 before functioning as their bench coach from 2010-12. Hyde has been on the Cubs’ coaching staff since 2013.
- The 49-year-old Grifol has been in his present position since 2014. The former minor league catcher brings experience as a major league hitting coach (Royals, 2013-14) and a minors manager (with low-level Mariners affiliates from 2003-05 and in 2012).
- Diamondbacks director of player development Mike Bell will interview, Peter Gammons reports. He’s the son of former major league manager Buddy Bell and brother of rookie Reds skipper David Bell. Mike Bell, 43, garnered interest from the Rangers during their managerial search after the season. He’s a former professional third baseman who, prior to landing his current gig, coached and managed in the Diamondbacks’ minor league system.
Ok I guess that’s something new.
Can anyone tell me why nobody has mentioned Scioscia?
I think the belief is he wants to take a year off. Also the O’s are looking for a fill in guy for few seasons where as Scioscia would probably want a team that’s not starting a rebuild. I bet he would also require a lot more money then Os willing to pay right now for manager.
It’s basically, who can they hire that will be lucky to win 60 games a year for the next three or four years while they rebuild, then fire and replace with someone better once they are ready to win again.
Yep
They should just hire Kaylee from above
By the sounds of it, Michelle is the brains.
Lol…These two comments made me lol..
Well done fellas..
Finally, I get a laugh from here, and it doesn’t involve a trade proposal..
I wonder if they’d like to take Andy Green from the Padres.
It’s about the scouting department now gonna have to get hits on the next few drafts
WhiteyFordSr replied I don’t think that they can do much better than Gary Rajsich. It’s a shame he decided not to stay on.
Connor neglected to mention that Hale also was 3B coach for the Mets, in 2010 under Jerry Manuel and 2011 under Terry Collins.
“Hale managed the Diamondbacks to a combined 148-176 mark from 2015-16. Hale has since served on the staffs of the A’s and Nats”….notice the word “since”
It’s part of his relevant experience and should have been mentioned, just as it was for Hyde.
Sighs…then I guess he should have mentioned his stint as the Sidewinders manager and bench coach for the A’s.
Of course he should have.
Here, have at it…en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chip_Hale. Don’t forget this too…en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Hyde.
That’s Connor’s responsibility in doing a thorough job as the writer.
The article is a synopsis, and you seem to want a full bio on every managerial candidate. It’s amazing, and actually quite sad, the petty things people gripe about on here, especially when it’s free.
I see what you’re saying, but I’ve pointed out minor details like that too.. not trying to be gripey, just mentioning something because it occurs to me. So much is lost 7
I was just pointing out a detail that I noticed. What’s it to you, Cat Mando?
Eyes can roll when you call out the writer on a point in which the candidate has surpassed the level that you mentioned.
Good. You roll your eyes while I post as I see fit, and life will go on.
I did not roll my eyes. Just commenting on the discussion.
Is it me, or does Stu remind you of the 7 year old that points at the other kids with his tongue out while tattling on them to the teacher?
It’s you.
It’s really not.
Ozzie Guillen is a a available.
Terrible idea, he’s a bigot. That’s why he can’t get a job despite being pretty good manager
….Stormy Daniels……
Cal Ripken Jr….. get it done
Cal deserves better, and he knows it.
And, Cal would not make a good MLB manager.
Remembers the fate of Cal Ripken Sr.
Rather have Billy Ripken
Hasn’t he said he wants a front office job, not a coaching job?
I still want girardi
Girardi wouldn’t go near that trainwreck.
Not really looking like a train wreck these days but I’m also not sure there’s enough mutual interest.
These days it’s the rusted remains of an old wreck nobody bothered to clean up for a few years…
Any manager taking the jobs knows he’s gonna be fired after 3 losing seasons.
It’s a train wreck in progress. The organization is heading in the right direction but this managerial position is not attractive. The Manager’s job after this one most likely will be.
Sounds like it’s tailor made for Rick Renteria!
Huge no to Girardi
I forgot they had an opening
I think they did, too.
Hahaha. Best response.
I’m withdrawing from consideration in order to spend more time with my family.
I’m waiting for the Dodgers or Cubs to call. I’m not interested in a re-build.
Dino Ebell.
Ron Wotus
David Ross or Mark DeRosa…They’re going to need a “younger”, contagiously passionate leader to rally and get the most out of these next few terrible teams..That’s the only way they’re even going to be remotely decent..
Otherwise, get you an experienced placeholder, and continue to be a laughing stock for the foreseeable future..
At least have one positive going into the year by hiring an up and coming coach..But, I highly doubt it, by stating they want experience, they’re pretty much admitting that they just want a retread-placeholder…
The idea is to be a laughing stock. I’d prefer to draft 1 or 2 rather than 10 or 11. This team is largely going to be comprised of placeholders. Andy green was “an up and comer” and now he’s about to be an up an out coach. That’s how this thing works. It’s a good job for a placeholder.
Hall of Fame player and AL 2017 Manager of the Year Paul Molitor is available, and used to working with limited talent provided by the Front Office.
Yeah, anyone know why he left last team (what was going on behind scenes)?
Speaking of “Hale” is DeMarlo Hale no longer considered a contender anywhere? He was a front-runner for a few years, then suddenly his name seldom if ever came up.
Familiarity w O’s too.
Exactly. They should at least talk with him. He was always considered an excellent managerial candidate.
I wouldn’t touch it if I was Chip Hale. Your W/L record as a manager would prevent him from ever getting another managerial job again. Baltimore isn’t the place to spend your mulligan.
I wonder if the O’s (Elias and Company) could consider Grady Little?
He’s a bit older, but players love him and has tons of experience.
I am not certain making someone in their 40’s or 50’s is a good idea for the O’s, plus I want someone friendly, Showalter was not friendly, fan or otherwise!
SMH
I don’t think Sho was UNfriendly. He was serious, focused, meticulous, respectful.
Showalter was awful, his true colors showed during this past dreadful season
Lefty not sure what you mean by his “true colors.”
If you are a true Orioles fan you should know how loved Showalter was in Baltimore
Little will be 69 in March, hasn’t managed in almost 12 years and is probably out of touch with today’s managerial “techniques”. He’s a good guy, but it wouldn’t make sense.
Hey if Jack McKeon could get things done when 73 years old, I think it could be done again. Plus Little was a member of the O’s organization in the early 80’s
Does not make sense for O’s to get rid of an old-school manager and then hire one who’s even more of a veteran.
If Grady had only pulled Pedro….
They need a gimmick – no real aspiring manager will take the job – no one who has already managed will want the job. They need a showman… someone with Maryland roots.. no baseball skills but plenty of business skills… someone that will have throngs of people going to the games just for the sideshow that has become the orioles. That person is.. Shane McMahon. Bring in ex wrestlers as strength and conditioning coaches – tons of kids and wrestling geeks will goto the games to see the coaches. Plus think how awesome the bench clearing brawls would be with steel chairs, figure four leglocks and flying clotheslines.
Triple H would look good on the Orange and Black. Jake Roberts…
Bobby Valentine would be a goood fit with this circus
Yep, that’s really funny actually. Entertaining.
I doubt he could fill Earl Weaver’s shoes when it comes to umpire arguments but I’d watch him anyway.
Gardenhire took over for the Tiger rebuild. Never thought he’d do it with his experience and at his age. He did a great job with nothing. His record was the same as Ausmus with better than a half a season of Verlander, jd Martinez, Kinsler and a full season of miggy. If Gardenhire had the rosters Ausmus had, the tigers would have done much better.
I hope you all get your fill of laughs on behalf of the Orioles over the next 2 years, because the times they are a changin’
And the O’s don’t have to win the pennant to be an exciting team to watch, which I think they will be soon. All about the love of the game and the team.
I hope they do turn a corner. They need to turn a 180 and have Angelos 86’d.
Bring back the ’66 series.
Jeff Bannister would be a perfect fit
does anyone want the job though?
Ozzie Guillen does.
One candidate that should be consider in my opinion for this job is, Carlos Febles from the Red Sox. He know the American League East well.
If this new GM wants to make a splash he should interview the top candidate which should be Buck Showalters
Hey Orioles hire Mike Tomlin get him off my Steelers
Aubrey Huff
That would be really interesting to see, though I’m not sure if he has the right ‘credentials’ to even be considered.
Huff might also be more focused on spending time with his family at this point. His attempt at a comeback was not to long ago though, so it’s possible he would be interested in applying for the position.
I was hoping we would have a choice sooner then later… would be nice to start the rebuild… also was hoping they would look to add speed throughout the lineup to make it fun on the base paths
Man I pretty much forgot they still needed a manager…well done O’s
Acta probably makes the most sense. Face it, if you’re a young up-and-comer, is this the situation you want to start off in? And be the inevitable sacrificial lamb when things don’t go well? Managers usually make a difference in, at most, 3-5 games a year,,,,3-5 games ain’t gonna mean much in Baltimore for a while.
There are a whole 30 major league managing opportunities, and only a handful become open each year. Do you really not understand that any opportunity is a good opportunity? Another one may not come along.
So why would that reason stop an up and comer from wanting a major league manager job?